Feasibility of a Home-Based Therapeutic Exercise Program in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis
Cristina SILVA1, António AMARO2, António PINHO3, Rui S. GONÇALVES4, Mário RODRIGUES2, Fernando RIBEIRO5
1Clínica De Oiã, Hospital Da Luz Clínica De Oiã, Aveiro, Portugal
2University of Aveiro, School of Health Sciences, Aveiro, Portugal
3Cmrrc - Rovisco Pais, Cmrrc - Rovisco Pais, Tocha, Portugal
4Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal
5University of Aveiro, School of Health Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - Ibimed, Aveiro, Portugal
Keywords: Exercise, physical function, physical therapy, osteoarthritis
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of a four-week home-based therapeutic exercise program for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
Patients and methods: Feasibility outcomes, namely the recruitment rate, retention rate, exercise adherence and adverse events, as well as pain, knee muscle strength, range of motion, functional mobility, physical function, and postural sway were assessed on 15 individuals (4 males, 11 females; mean age 62.8±2.5 years; range 55 to 83 years) with knee OA before and after a four-week home-based therapeutic exercise program.
Results: The main results indicated that this program was feasible, as indicated by recruitment, adherence, and safety outcomes. The retention rate was 80% and the overall exercise adherence for those completing the program was 93%. The exercise program improved significantly pain intensity (visual analog scale: 5.8±2.8 to 3.8±2.4 cm, p=0.006), functional mobility, muscle strength, and physical function (Knee injury and OA Outcome Score-Physical Function Short-form: 53.8±21.0 to 41.3±13.9 points, p=0.011).
Conclusion: This home-based therapeutic exercise program is feasible for individuals with OA of the knee and seems to improve pain intensity, functional mobility, muscle strength, and physical function.
Citation: Silva C, Amaro A, Pinho A, Gonçalves RS, Rodrigues M, Ribeiro F. Feasibility of a Home-Based Therapeutic Exercise Program in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis. Arch Rheumatol 2018;33(3):295-301
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
iBiMED is a research unit supported by the Portuguese foundation for Science and Technology (REF: UID/ BIM/04501/2013) and FEDER/Compete2020 funds.
We would like to express our appreciation to the staff of the Clinica de Oiã for their kind assistance.